LGA-JFK / JFK-LGA Airport Connections
 

Hi. I have booked YOW to LGA arriving 07:35. Then leaving JFK to SKB at 10:15. Never been through New York so .. help please. How do I get from LGA to JFK and should I be concerned about the short time available? Thanks in advance.

It looks a bit tight, especially with rush hour traffic.

Here's the shuttle from LGA to JFK:
http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTrave...ct.html#lgajfk

Personally I try to avoid these types of airport transfers at all costs.

shuttle

only 13$, takes 1 hour.

can you check in for the jfk flight beforehand?

Nice, a shuttle. Check in ahead of time? I assume I get checked in at YOW for all the flights. Hmm, do I need to get my luggage at LGA?

Yes.

Isn't there helicopter service between JFK and LGA.. or is jat just to downtown and to ewr??:confused:

Sorry to sound negative but I think your chances of making it are slim if you have bags to check.

At LGA lately the baggage wait can range from 10mins to 55mins. Moreover, you will be travelling in peak rush hour (1hr travel time seems about right) and most airlines have a 1hr cutoff for baggage acceptance.

Best care scenario:

Arrive: 0735
At Baggage claim 0745
At taxi/bus stand 0800
At JFK check-in 0905

Cheers,

Hmm. I guess I could go with no checked baggage.

Don't know how I got myself into this dilemna, I spoke with an agent to book it - why would he book an almost impossible connection?

I wasn't aware until reading my ticket closely of these two (separate) airports, New York to me was New York. Now I know different, but ...

I sure appreciate the help you'all are providing!

I did this connection in May, but mid-afternoon and with lots of time between flights, and fully aware of the marathon. You've got several things working against you:

1. Normal morning back-up and delays at LGA even given you built in padding on your inbound flight
2. Expect at least a half-hour to get any checked bags
3. Schedule of shuttle if you decide to take it (and only US$ are accepted, no credit cards!); cab will likely be your best option but fare too will rise if you're stuck in traffic for any length of time
4. Traffic on the Freeways during morning rush hour
5. General chaos at JFK and time to make the loop to the appropriate terminal
6. Check in at JFK (what carrier, have you status, etc.)
7. Clearing security at JFK

I suggest, if you can, change the flight ex-JFK to a later one, or the one into LGA to one the night prior and book a hotel at JFK. If you made the booking in the past few hours, you can often make a change within 24-hours of booking. (BTW what carrier are you on ex-JFK, and what about the return?)

Good luck, you'll really need it. And note it could be worse, you might have booked yourself into EWR -- there are actually three major airports serving NYC!

Anybody try a taxi and Air Train option??

The fastest way to get from LGA to JFK is by taxi, unless the before mentioned shuttle bus is ready to leave. I have waited for the shuttle bus for over one hour before the correct LGA-JFK bus arrived.

One possibility is to take a taxi to the Jamacia Train station and then catch the JFK Air Train to the correct terminal. This could theoretically save time if the Van Wick and/or terminal loop is backed up.

I agree with the abover posters, this cnx is a little on the tight side. Could be impossible if the OP has no status with the JFK outbound airline.

Agree. You should really select latter flight out of JFK (if available) or don't check any bags, still be running but better chance on making it. Good luck ;)

That is the best advice we could give you. Rush hour in NYC is the worst I have seen . I would not take any chances unless you are prepared for a mad dash without any checked luggage.

I think people are being too conservative. If the OP's flight is reasonably close to being on time, 2:40 leaves plenty of time for a LGA-JFK transfer by taxi, even with luggage. Forget the shuttle bus or any other option; take a taxi, which will cost about $30 with tip and take 20 (unlikely) to 45 (likely) minutes.

Nine times out of ten the AC flights into LGA are delayed by about 20 minutes leaving Canada, then a few circle patterns so flights are usually 30 minutes late arriving. Baggage can take time too but my experience has been within fifteen minutes, so that leaves the taxi ride and the ck in deadline to deal with. There is not much time to spare at all but it is feasible.

Well, I finally got hold of the ticketing agent. He checked and got back to me saying the connection is a "legal" connection and hence "should" be doable. Also that I am "protected" if the AC flight is delayed etc. and AA will put me on next flight. Of course next flight has two stops, but at least I'd get there.

I don't really need this stress in my life so I'll look at it as an adventure and get back to all you helpful folks about how it turned out.

Now I'll go and unpack my checked luggage and see what I can get into carry on bag only. I want to tip the odds of the great adventure a little my way.;)